Athletic Vidourek Has Two-Way Possibilities

ROSS - There is little doubt that Landyn Vidourek will bring an athletic presence wherever he ends up at the next level.

A quarterback in football, the Badin junior is a standout at shortstop and pitcher on the ball diamond at the Greater Catholic League school. Colleges are accepting to the 35th-rated 2022 being a two-way player at the next level.

“Most are open to it,” explained Vidourek, who has received interest from the likes of Xavier, Campbell, Eastern Michigan, UAB and Dayton. “I definitely like that idea. It would be hard to choose between pitcher and infield or outfield. It’s pretty equal right now. If a team wants me for pitching or if one wants me for something on the field, I’m open to either one.”

Even as a two-way there is uncertainty where Vidourek would end up.

“Most are talking shortstop and pitching but a couple brought up outfield,” Vidourek said. “As long as I’m on the field it doesn’t matter where.”

Jordan Chiero, PBR Ohio Director of Scouting, has high praise for the just-turned 17-year-old.

“He’s a big-time athlete with an impressive combination of tools and functional athleticism,” Chiero said. “He’s a guy you can pretty much play wherever you want as a defender with that athleticism and huge arm that has been 90 miles per hour across the infield. At the plate he’s got an efficient stroke that will only get more explosive as he adds physicality.

“I also wouldn’t be shocked if he’s a 90 mile-an-hour guy on the mound in his high school career,” Chiero added. “He would have been a Future Games guy but had football.”

College baseball came into the picture five years ago.

“Once I turned 12 I got serious with baseball,” Vidourek noted. “I saw guys playing college baseball and I wanted to be part of it. Then when I was 14 my summer coach said I had a couple of coaches coming to watch me and I thought this is becoming real.”

Hard work has followed, a trait Vidourek points to as a strength in his personality.

“I think I have a good work ethic,” Vidourek said. “I’m not satisfied being average. I’m always willing to learn. I’m always asking my batting practice coach for video of me hitting.”

Recent strides have been made to help attract schools at the next level.

“In the offseason I’ve improved my backside hitting,” Vidourek related. “That’s something I think I should always work on. As for pitching, I’ve mostly improved location of my offspeed. I’m trying to hit my spots better with that.”

Guidance has come along the way for the 10th-ranked 2022 shortstop in Ohio.

“My uncle played college baseball at Indiana State and he’s always pushed me to get better,” Vidourek said in reference to Patrick Foster. “My summer and high school coaches have also done a good job of pushing me to be better. That helps me out a lot.”

The 6-1 165-pounder feels he can be a major asset wherever he plays in college.

“On and off the field I’m a hard worker with a lot of dedication,” Vidourek noted. “I’ll be there for my team putting in extra hours of work making sure to be my best for my team.”

Vidourek, who had a 3.9 GPA the first grading period this school year and is looking at a major in business at college, admits the recruiting process has not been easy during the pandemic.

“It’s different,” Vidourek said. “You have to stay on top keeping things updated and putting yourself out there. You have to take it to them.”

As for the type of school Vidourek is partial to, the fifth-ranked uncommitted junior in the state has a few ideas.

“Location-wise, it doesn’t matter,” Vidourek explained. “My family will travel. What I’m looking for is a family feeling. I like bigger schools, too. I’ve always been at smaller schools, but I’d like a bigger one in college.

“But I’m keeping all my options open. You never know when the right school is going to come along.”